This is the story of the murder of the sons of Usnech, of the red branch of the mythology Irish.
The Murder of the Sons of Usnech
A very beautiful and great feast was prepared by Conchobar, son of Fachtna Fathach, and also by the nobles of Ulster, in the sweet and charming town of Emain Macha. And the nobles of the province came to attend this feast. They distributed [beer] to them in such a way that they were all cheerful, joyful, in a good mood. And the musicians, the jugglers and the storytellers stood up to recite before them their verses, their poems, their songs, the genealogies of the families.
Here are the names of the poets who attended this feast. They were: Cathba, son of Gongal with the smooth nail, and grandson of Rugraidé; Genain of the bright cheek, Genan of the black knee, and Genann Gadh, all three sons of Cathba; Sencha the great, son of Ailill, son of Atgno, son of Fir ***, son of Ros, son of Ruad; Fercertné the poet, son of Oengus with the red mouth, son of F*** the poet, son of Gl***, son of Ros, son of Ruad.
This is how they feasted in Emain: [the direction of the meal for] one night, in turn, was assigned to each man of the house of Conchobar. Three hundred and sixty-five men made up this house. Now, on the night of the feast of which we speak, they were all seated at the banquet, when Conchobar raised his great and high king's voice. This is what he said: “I would like to ask you, O warriors! if you ever saw a braver troop than yourselves, in Ireland, in Scotland, or in some other place in the universe?…” — “In truth, we have not seen any,” they replied, “and we do not know that any exist. » — If that is so, replied Conchobar, « do you know what is the thing in the world that you miss the most? » — “We are entirely ignorant of it, O great king! » they said. — “I know, O warriors! » he replied, “the thing we miss most: the three lights of bravery of the Gôidels have gone from our midst; the three sons of Usnech, Noise, Annle and Ardan, are separated from us because of a woman, whoever that woman may be. There was, in the bravery and intrepidity of Noise, son of Usnech, the makings of a supreme king of Ireland; the strength of his arm conquered half of Scotland. » — “O royal soldier! " they cried, "if we had dared to tell you, we would have done it a long time ago, because we know that the sons of Usnech had the king of a border for their father, and only they would defend the province of Ulster against any other province of Ireland, without needing any other Ulate to join them. They are, in fact, heroes in bravery, lions in strength and courage, these three men. » — “If this be so,” replied Conchobar, “let messengers be sent to inquire about them, in the provinces of Scotland, at Loch-Etivé and at the fortress of the sons of Usnech in Scotland . » — “Who will leave to fulfill this mission? » they all asked. — “I know,” said Conchobar, “that Noise is forbidden to come to Ireland in time of peace, except with three men: Cuchulainn, son of Subaltam; Conall, son of Aimirgin; Fergus, son of Ros, and I will know which of these three I am dearest. »
He brought Conall out of the banquet hall and asked him: “What will happen, O king of soldiers of the whole world? " said Conchobar, "if we send you to look for the sons of Usnech and if we take their lives despite your high protection, a crime that I would not undertake? — “It would not only result in the death of one man,” replied Conall; “for if I catch any of the Ulates doing them harm, he will not have time to flee before I have put him to death, until I have killed him, until I have killed him. have massacred. » — “It is well, O Conall! » said Conchobar. “I understand now that I am not dear to you. » And he sent Conall away. Cuchulainn was brought to him, and he asked him the same question. — “I give you my word,” replied Cuchulainn, “that if you tried to mistreat the sons of Usnech, even if it were necessary to seek you out in the East, even in India, I would not accept from you the whole earth as a gift [to redeem your life], but you would succumb in your enterprise. » — “It is good, O Cuchulainn! I see that there is no man for whom you are without hatred. » He sent Cuchulainn away and had Fergus brought to him. He addressed the same request to the latter, and this is what Fergus replied: — “I do not promise to come as far as your blood and your flesh; but except you, whoever of the Ulates I find doing harm to the sons of Usnech, he will receive death at my hand. » — “It is you who will fetch the children of Usnech, O royal soldier! " said Conchobar, "and go tomorrow," he added, "for it is with you that they will come. And when you leave for the eastern countries, go to the fortress of Borrach, son of Cainté, and give me your word not to allow the sons of Usnech to stop on the way as soon as they have reached the 'Ireland, promise to ensure that they arrive at Emain Macha that night. » Then Conchobar and Fergus returned to the banquet hall. Fergus announced that he was going to leave to safeguard the lives of the children of Usnech, and to the guarantee he gave of their safety was joined the guarantee of the nobles of the province. These nobles left that same night. [Each of them returned home.]
[But before this departure] Conchobar addressed Borrach, son of Cainté: “Have you,” he asked, “enough to give me a feast? » — “Yes, certainly,” replied Borrach, “it is possible for me to prepare it; but I cannot bring it to you at Emain Macha. » — “If it is so,” said Conchobar, “give it to Fergus, for one of the magical prohibitions which have been made for him is to refuse a feast. » Borrach promised to invite Fergus, and he left with his companions that night, without harm or danger.
Fergus got up early the next day; of all the army and the multitude, he took with him only his two sons: Illann the Beautiful and Buinné the Rude Red, plus Fuillend the servant of Iubrach, and Iubrach himself. And with these four companions he went before him to the stronghold of the sons of Usnech, at Loch Etivé. Now this is how the sons of Usnech were established: they had three large hunting huts; in the hut where they cooked they did not eat and in the hut where they ate they did not sleep. Fergus uttered a loud cry on arriving in the port, so that it was heard all the way to the depths of the neighboring provinces. Now Noïsé and Derdriu were there having between them the Tête Jolie; (that was the name of the Conchobar checkerboard), and they were playing checkers. Noïsé spoke: “I hear the cry of a Irish,” he said. Derdriu also heard the cry; she recognized that it was the cry of Fergus, but she did not tell the sons of Usnech. Fergus uttered a second cry and Noïsé continued: “I hear another cry, and it is the cry of an Irishman. » — “Certainly,” said Derdriu, “there is no resemblance between the cry of an Irishman and that of a Scottish man. » Fergus uttered a third cry, and the sons of Usnech recognized that it was Fergus' cry. Then Noise told Ardan [his brother] to go and get Fergus.
Derdriu, who had recognized Fergus when he uttered his first cry, told Noïsé that she had recognized the first cry uttered by Fergus. “Why didn’t you tell me, my wife,” Noïsé replied. — “Because of a vision I had last night,” replied Derdriu, “three birds were coming from Emain Macha towards us; They had three drops of honey in their beaks, they left these three drops of honey for us and they took with them three drops of our blood. » — “What do you think of this vision, my wife,” asked Noïsé. — “Here it is,” she said, “that Fergus comes to us from our native land with a message of peace, for honey is not sweeter than the message of peace; but as for the three drops of blood that the birds took from us, it is you three who will go with Fergus, and who will be betrayed. » The three brothers were saddened by these words of Derdriu, however Noïsé told Ardan to go and get Fergus [and his companions.]
So Ardan went there and when he had joined them he gave them three friendly and affectionate kisses, then he led them to the fortress of the sons of Usnech where Noise and Derdriu were. Noïsé and Derdriu also gave three friendly and affectionate kisses to Fergus and his sons. Then they inquired about news from Ireland and particularly from Ulster. — “This is the best news we have,” said Fergus, “Conchobar sent for you, I pledged myself and pledged my guarantee, for I am still your loyal friend, and I have given my word to honor my warranty. » — “It is not proper for you to go there,” replied Derdriu, “your sovereignty in Scotland is more extensive than the sovereignty of Conchobar in Ireland. » — “The native land is sweeter than any other good,” replied Fergus; “power and grandeur are not pleasant to those who do not see their native land. » — “It's true,” replied Noïsé, “Ireland is much dearer to me than Scotland, although I can have more property in Scotland. » — “My word and my guarantee are sure for you,” said Fergus. — “Yes really, they are sure,” replied Noïsé, “and we will go with you. » But Derdriu did not consent to what they said there, she forbade them [to leave]. Then Fergus himself gave them his word that if all the men of Ireland betrayed them, neither shield, nor sword, nor helmet could protect the men of Ireland, but that he would overcome them. — “You say the truth,” replied Noïsé, “we will go with you to Emain Macha. »
[They left that night as soon as the first light of the evil one announced the day. Then Noise and Fergus got up and sat down in the boat; They went through the sea and the great ocean until they reached the fortress of Borrach son of Cainté. Derdriu glanced behind her at Scotland: “Hail to you land of the East, there,” she said, “it is sad for me to leave the shores of your ports and your bays, your flowering plains gentle, charming, amiable, your hills with their green, brilliant slopes. » She sang:
Dearest to my heart is the land of the East there,
Scotland with its wonders.
I wouldn't have left to come here,
If I hadn't accompanied Noïsé.
Kind Fidga Castle and Finn Castle,
Amiable the fortress which crowns them!
Lovely Draigen Island
Lovable also the castle of Suibné!
Cuan wood!
Where Annlé came, alas!
We found time to be short, me
And Noïsé, in the country of Scotland!
Laid Valley!
I slept under a beautiful rock; The fish, the venison and the fatty flesh of the badger
Were my part in the valley of Laid.
Masân Valley!
High was the garlic, white its fruits
We slept a light sleep
On the lawn of the Gulf of Masân.
Etivé Valley! This is where I built my first house.
Pretty is its wood as soon as the day has dawned;
The Etivé valley is a sunny park.
Urchan Valley!
Narrow valley, with beautiful hills!
No man of the same age was prouder
Que Noïsé in the valley of Urchân.
Dâ-Rûad Valley!
Hail to every man who has you as an inheritance!
Sweet is the voice of the cuckoo on the bent branch,
On the peak above the Dâ-Rùad valley!
Beloved is Draigen at the hard shore!
Beloved its water on pure sand!
I would not have left the land of the East, If I had not gone with the one who is very dear to me.
Very dear to my heart is the land of the East there, etc.
Then they went to visit the fortress of Borrach in the company of Derdriu, Borrach gave three kisses to the sons of Usnech; he welcomed Fergus and his sons. Then he spoke thus: “I have a feast for you, O Fergus! " he said, "and one of the magical defenses given to you is [first to refuse invitations, then] to leave a feast before it is over. » When Fergus heard Borrach, the red color rose from the soles of his feet to the top of his head: — “You did wrong, O Borrach,” said Fergus, “to put me under the influence of the magical defenses, and Conchobar had wrong to ask my word to lead the sons of Usnech to Emain the day they arrive in Ireland. » — “I put you under the influence of magical defenses,” said Borrach; “These magical defenses reach you that true heroes cannot breach, you cannot avoid taking part in my feast. »
“What should I do after this invitation? » asked Fergus to Noïsé. — “You will do [what Borrach desires],” replied Derdriu, “if you will abandon the sons of Usnech to take part in the feast; However, it is a very expensive feast to buy it by the abandonment of the sons of Usnech. » — “I will not abandon them,” replied Fergus, “for I will send with them my two sons: Illann the Fair and Buinné the Rough Red to Emain Macha. Moreover, the sons of Usnech have the guarantee of my word,” added Fergus. — “The good intention of Fergus is enough for us,” said Noïsé, “for in case of battle or duel, no one has ever defended us but ourselves. »
Noïsé left Borrach in anger, Derdriu followed him, with Annlé, Ardan and the two sons of Fergus, but it was not on Derdriu's advice that this resolution was taken; they left Fergus sad and worried. However Fergus was sure of one thing: that if the five provinces of Ireland all met and consulted each other, they would not attempt to void the guarantee [that he had given.]
As for the sons of Usnech, they went before them, by the shortest and most beautiful route. Then Derdriu said to them: “I could give you good advice, although it does not have my interest in mind. » — “What is this advice, my wife? » said Noise. — “Let us go this night to the island of Cuilenni, between Ireland and Scotland, and remain there until Fergus has finished his feast; it's keeping Fergus' word and it's prolonging your life. » — “These are insulting words for us,” said Illann the Beautiful and Buinné the Rude Red. “It is impossible for us to approve of this advice,” they added; “even if you do not have the strength of your arms, with our support and the word Fergus gave you you will not be betrayed. » — “A misfortune,” replied Derdriu, “fell upon us when Fergus, after giving us his word, abandoned us to go to a feast. » She was very sad and dismayed at having come to Ireland on the word of Fergus. And then she sang verses:
"Woe has come with inane speech
Of Fergus, the foolish son of Roeg;
I will not console myself,
Alas! My heart is broken.
My heart, like a bloody clot of pain,
Is that night in great shame.
Alas! my good darlings!
They have come your last days! "
“Do not speak, O prompt Derdriu!
woman more beautiful than the sun!
Fergus will come, - back of courage! -
Towards us, and we will not be killed. "
“Alas! I am saddened for you,
charming sons of Usnech!
For having come from Scotland to the red deer,
Long and lasting will be your misfortune.
Woe has come with inane speech
Of Fergus, the foolish son of Roeg;
I will not console myself,
Alas! My heart is broken! "
After this song they went before them to Finncharn of the Guard on the mountain of Fuat; Derdriu remained behind them in the valley and then sleep took possession of her. They left her there without suspecting it. Noïsé noticed her absence, went back immediately to look for her, and arrived just as she was waking up from her sleep: “Why did you stay here, O queen,” asked Noïsé. — “I fell asleep in this place,” replied Derdriu, “I then had a vision and a dream. » — “What is this dream? » — “I saw each of you without a head, Illann Find without a head, but Buinné the Rude Red with his head, and he did not help us. » Derdriu sang:
“Sad is the vision that appeared to me,
you four so beautiful and so pure!
Each of you without a head,
A man was not helping the other four. "
“Your mouth has only sung evil,
charming and brilliant woman!
Leave far from you, o thin and slow lip,
Mann's Sea Strangers Evil. "
"I would prefer the evils of any other man,
- Said Derdriu speaking without darkness, -
May your sorrows, O you three so sweet,
With whom I visited the sea and the great land.
I see Buinné with his head;
His life will be the longest.
And see with his head Buinne the Rudely Red,
For me, this night is sad. »
Sad is the vision that appeared to me, etc.
After this they went before them to Ard-na-Sailech, which is now called Armagh. It was then that Derdriu said: “Sad is the thing I see now; it is your cloud, O Noise, which is in the air, and it is a cloud of blood; Now, I could give you some advice, O son of Usnech! » added Derdriu. — “What is this advice, O queen,” asked Noïsé. — “It is to go to Dundalk where Cuchulainn is and to remain there until the arrival of Fergus, or to go, under the protection of Cuchulainn, to Emain. » — “We have no need to follow this advice,” replied Noïsé. Derdriu sang:
"Noise! look at your cloud
That I see there in the air;
I see the green on Emain
A large cloud of red blood.
Fear seizes me in front of this cloud
That I see there in the air;
It looks like a blood clot,
This frightening and transparent cloud.
I could give you some advice,
charming sons of Usnech!
It is not to go to Emain this night,
When danger is upon your heads.
We'll go to Dundalk first,
Where is Cuchulainn at the big address.
[To win Emain] tomorrow we will leave the south
Together, with the skillful Cuchulainn. »
Noïsé answered in anger
To Derdriu the sage, with red cheeks;
“Since we have no fear,
We will not take your advice. "
"Rarely were we once,
royal grandson of Rugraidé!
Without agreeing,
You and me, O Noise!
The day you took me with you,
A. through Assaroe at the oars,
You wouldn't have been against me,
I tell you, O Noise!
O Noise! look at your cloud
That I see there in the air;
I see the green on Emain
A large cloud of red blood. "
After singing these verses, they went straight ahead, by the shortest route until they saw Emain Macha in front of them.— “I have a sign for you,” said Derdriu, “which will tell you if Conchobar must commit treason or fratricide against you. » — “What is this sign?” » said Noise. — “If you are brought into the house where Conchobar and the nobles of Ulster are, Conchobar must not harm you. But if you are placed in the house of Redbough, and if Conchobar remains in his house of Emain, betrayal and dishonor threaten you. »
They went before them like this to the door of the house of Emain, and they asked that it be opened for them. The doorman answered and asked who was there. “These,” he was told, “are the three sons of Usnech; They have with them the two sons of Fergus, and Derdriu. » These words were reported to Conchobar; he had the troop of his servants brought to him, and he asked them if the house of Red Branch contained food and drink. They told him that if the five Ulster battalions went there, they could have their fill and drink there. — “If it is so,” replied Conchobar, “let the sons of Usnech be brought there. » These words were reported to the sons of Usnech. Derdriu spoke thus: “Noïsé, we can say that misfortune has already struck you for not having followed my advice, let us leave and continue our journey. » — “We will not,” replied Illann the Fair, son of Fergus; “truly, O Derdriu, it is great cowardice, great cowardice that with your words you wanted to inspire us. We will go to the Red Branch House,” he added. — “Yes certainly, we will go,” said Noïsé.
And they went straight to the house of Red Branch; a troop of servants and servants were sent there with them, and they were served with choice and well-prepared meats and sweet and intoxicating drinks, so that the whole troop of servants was drunk and sang joyfully at the top of their voices. But, let us note carefully, the sons of Usnech took nothing, neither food nor drink, so great was the fatigue which their journey had caused them; in fact, they had neither stopped nor stayed anywhere from the moment they left the fort of Borrach, son of Andert, until their arrival at Emain Macha. Then Noïsé said: “Let someone bring us the Tête-Jolie (name of the checkerboard of Conchobar), and we will play a game. » They brought the Tête-Jolie, they placed the pieces there; Noïsé and Derdriu began to play together.
It was at this hour and at that moment that Conchobar said: – “Which of you warriors shall I take to inquire whether Derdriu has retained his beauty and attractions? If she has kept them, there are no daughters of Adam whose charms are superior to hers. » — “I will go myself,” replied Leborcham, “and I will bring you news.” » Now, Leborcham had more affection for Noïsé than for any other man in the world; she had often gone across the provinces of the earth to seek Noise to give him news [of Ireland] and to bring back some from him.
Then Leborcham went to where Noise and Derdriu were. Now, here is what they were doing: they had between them the checkerboard called the Tête-Jolie and they were playing. Leborcham embraced the son of Usnech and Derdriu with friendship, ardor and cordiality; she shed floods of tears, so that her breast and her throat were wet. At last she spoke and said: "It is no good for you, O my dear children, if Conchobar has allowed you [to return to Ireland], this apparent advantage, so difficult to grant, has put you in his power. I was sent to inquire about you,” added Leborcham, “and to see if Derdriu has retained his beauty and attractions. And I am saddened by the work that is being done this night in Emain, because it is a work of betrayal, dishonor and disloyalty towards you, oh dear friends,” she continued; “but until the end of the world there will never be a better night for Emain than this!” »
And she sang:
My heart is saddened by the shameful act
Which will be accomplished this night in Emain;
As a result of this shameful act,
Emain will be filled with battles.
Three brothers, the best that exist under the sky,
- After their travels on solid earth! -
It's hard for me to know
That they will be killed because of a woman.
Noïsé and Ardan equally glorious,
Annlé with the white palm!
Betrayal will strike all three as quickly as possible;
There is nothing left but pain for my heart.
My heart is saddened by the shameful act
Which will be accomplished this night in Emain;
As a result of this shameful act,
Emain will be filled with battles.
After this, Leborcham told the sons of Fergus to close the doors and windows of the Redbough house. “If you are attacked,” she added, “victory and blessing to you!” Defend yourself well, protect yourselves and may you be protected by Fergus! » She then left, gloomy, sad, worried, to go find Conchobar, and Conchobar asked her for news. It was then that Leborcham replied: “I have bad news for you, and I have good news. " - " What are they? » said the king of Ulster. — “Here is the good news,” said Leborcham: “The three men, the best in beauty and talent, in strength and boldness, in exploits, deeds and valor in Ireland, in Scotland, in the whole wide world, have come to you. Repelling the men of Ireland will be as easy for you as driving a flock of birds before you, since the sons of Usnech will go with you. This is the good news that I bring you. And here is the bad news I have: There is a woman whose beauty and attractions were the first in the world when she left Emain and when she left us; but this woman has lost her beauty and her attractions. »
When Conchobar heard these words, his jealousy and bitterness left him. Thereupon, we all drank a swig or two. And Conchobar asked again: “Who would want to know if Derdriu has preserved his good looks, his beauty and his attractions? » And he repeated his question three times before getting an answer. Then he spoke to Trèn-Dorn Dolann: “Trèn-Dorn,” said Conchobar, “do you know who killed your father? » — “I know,” replied Trèn-Dorn, “that it was Noise, son of Usnech, who killed him. » — “If this is so,” replied Conchobar, “go and see if Derdriu has retained his beauty and his attractions. »
And Trèn-Dorn left; he arrived at the Palais du Rameau-Rouge; he found the doors and windows closed. Fear and terror seized him, and this is what he said: “There is no way to approach the sons of Usnech, for they are angry. » Thereupon he found a window in the palace which was not closed, and he began to look through this window at Derdriu and Noise. Derdriu saw it, for she quickly turned her head. She warns Noïsé. Noïsé looked in the direction where Derdriu had looked, and he saw the eye of Trèn-Dorn. Now, what was Noïsé doing? He held in his hand a pawn from the game of checkers, and he threw it in such a terribly skillful way that this pawn reached Trèn-Dorn's eye: the eye fell on Trèn-Dorn's cheek.
Trèn-Dorn went to find Conchobar; he only had one eye left. He told the king the story from beginning to end: “There,” he added, “[at the house of the Red Branch], is a woman who is the first in the world for beauty, and Noïsé will be king of the world if we leave it to him. » Then Conchobar and the Ulates rose up. They surrounded the palace; they uttered many clamors and threw burning brands against the palace. Derdriu and the two sons of Fergus heard them and asked, “Who is under the palace walls? » — “Conchobar and the Ulates,” replied the attackers. — “Is there any guarantee from Fergus against them?” » cried Illann the fair [son of Fergus]. — “By my faith,” said Conchobar, “it is a shame for you and for the sons of Usnech that my wife is with you. » — “It is therefore true,” said Derdriu, “that Fergus has betrayed you, O Noïsé. » — “No,” replied Buinné the Rude [, son of Fergus], my father did not betray and we will not betray. » Then Buinné the Rude went out; he killed fifty men three times outside with a single shock, he extinguished the flaming brands and threw the troop into disorder with cries of last judgment. Conchobar said: “Who is causing this disorder among my troops? » — “It is I, Buinné the Rude, son of Fergus. » — “I will make you presents,” said Conchobar; “abandon the children of Usnech. » — “What are these gifts?” » asked Buinné. — “One of the provinces of my kingdom,” said Conchobar; “Moreover, you will be my friend and my advisor. » — “I accept,” said Buinné. And Buinné received these gifts. Now it happened by a miracle of God that that very night the province became an [uncultivated] mountain: it is called the Mountain of Sharing of Buinné.
Derdriu heard these talks. — “By my faith,” cried Derdriu, “Buinné has abandoned you, O son of Usnech; this son is well worthy of Fergus, his father. » — “On my word,” replied Illann the fair, the other son of Fergus, “I will not abandon you as long as this strong sword is in my hand. “And thereupon Illann went out, circled the palace three times quickly and killed three hundred Ulates outside, then he entered the house to the place where Noïsé was, playing checkers with Anllé the violent. Illann circled around them and took a drink. He took a lighted lamp outside into the park and began to strike the Ulates troop; they no longer dared to approach the palace.
The young man who was there was a good boy, Illann the Fair, son of Fergus. He had never refused a valuable object or even great treasures to anyone, he had never received a salary from any king, and he had never accepted a precious object from anyone except his own. father.
Then Conchobar spoke: “Where is my son Fiacha? » asked Conchobar. — “Here,” replied Fiacha. — “By my faith, it was on the same night that you and Illann the Beautiful were born; he has his father's arms; take with you my weapons: [my shield called] the Beau-Golden, [my spear called] the Victorious, my javelin nicknamed the Split; also take my sword and use it valiantly. » Then Illann and Fiacha approached each other; Fiacha came straight to Illann, and Illann asked Fiacha: “What does this mean, O Fiacha? » — “I want a meeting and a fight with you,” said Fiacha. — “It is wrong what you are doing there,” replied Illann, “for the sons of Usnech are under my protection. » They attacked each other and engaged in a violent, heroic, bold, daring, rapid combat. Illann had the advantage over Fiacha, Fiacha fell under his shield. Then the shield uttered a magical cry because of the great danger in which Fiacha was, and in response to this cry, the three main waves of Ireland uttered another magical cry (these waves were those of Clidna, Tuad and Rugraide ).
Conall the Triumphant, son of Amergin, was at that time in Dunseverick, and he heard like a roar of thunder, it was the sound of the wave of Rugraidae. “Verily,” said Conall, “Conchobar is in peril, and it would be unjust not to go to his aid. » And he took his weapons; he went straight to Emain; he found Fiacha, son of Conchobar, thrown down; the shield called the Golden Handsome roared and howled... and the Ulates did not dare to help Fiacha. Conall came up to Illann, passing behind him, and pierced him with his sword (it was Conall's Culghlas). — “Who struck me?” asked Illann. — “It was I, Conall,” replied the assailant. “And who are you?” — “I am Illann the Beautiful, son of Fergus,” replied the wounded man; “it is a bad deed that you have done there, for the sons of Usnech are under my protection; . “Is that true?” asked Conall. “Yes, it’s true.”
“Alas! unhappy that I am,” cried Conall; “but, on my word, Conchobar will not see his son again until dead, and that, thanks to me; it will be reparation for the crime that I have just committed by mistake. » And thereupon Conall, giving a sword blow to Fiacha the Beautiful, detached his head from his body; then Conall walked away.
Then Illann, son of Fergus, felt the first symptoms of approaching death; he threw his weapons inside the palace and told Noise to act valiantly. “Conall the Triumphant,” he added, “has inadvertently killed me. »
Then the Ulates surrounded the palace and threw flaming brands. Ardan went out, put out the fire, killed three hundred men of the attacking army, and, after remaining outside for a long time, returned to the house. At another hour of the night, Annlé made a sally to defend the palace, and he killed an innumerable number of Ulates; the Ulates moved away from the palace, having suffered great losses.
Then Conchobar began to raise the courage of his army. But at last Noïsé made an exit; and we cannot enumerate those who fell under his blows. In the morning, the Ulates offered battle to Noise. And Noïsé, single-handedly, routed them for three hours. Thereupon, Derdriu came to him and said to him: “The fight that you and your two brothers have fought is victorious. Continue to fight valiantly. But you had a bad thought when you trusted Conchobar and the Ulates, and it is sad that you did not do what I advised you. » Then the sons of Usnech made a wall of their shields, the edges of which they placed against each other. They placed Derdriu between them; They all three turned their faces towards the enemy army and killed three hundred men.
Then Conchobar went to the house of the Druid Cathba, and spoke to him thus: “Cathba,” he said, “arrest the children of Usnech and make Druidic conjurations against them, for they will destroy this province forever, if this time, despite the efforts of the Ulates, they escaped. I give you my word that there will be no danger for the sons of Usnech from me. » Cathba believed these words of Conchobar; he came to put a spell on the sons of Usnech; he uttered druidic incantations against them. He brought a sea with great waves along the plain before the sons of Usnech, and he placed the men of Ulster on dry land two feet behind them. It was very sad to see the children of Usnech defeated by the great sea. Noïsé took Derdriu on his shoulder to prevent her from being drowned.
Then Conchobar asked for a man who would kill the sons of Usnech, and all the men of Ulster refused to kill them, for there was not a man in Ulster who was not in the pay of Noise. But at Conchobar's house there was a young man named Red-Handed Mané, son of the king of Norway, whose father and two brothers Noise had killed. He said that, to avenge this murder, he himself would behead the sons of Usnech. — “If that be so,” said Ardan, “kill me first, for I am younger than my brothers. » — “That is not what must be done,” replied Annlé, “but it is me who must be killed first. » — “That is not justice,” replied Noïsé. “But I have a sword given to me by Manannan, son of the Ocean, and which never misses its blow. Let all three of us be struck with this sword at the same time, so that none of us sees his brother beheaded. » Then these three noble men stretched their necks on a single block; Mané struck them with his sword, and immediately detached their three heads from the trunk at the same time. Each of the Ulates, seeing this deplorable death, uttered three long cries of pain.
As for Derdriu, while everyone looked after their neighbor, she wandered through Emain Park, going from right to left and from one man to another, until she met Cuchulainn. She placed herself under his protection, she told him, from beginning to end, the story of the sons of Usnech, and how they had been betrayed. — “This news saddens me,” said Cuchulainn, “and do you know who killed them? » — “It’s Mané Red-Handed, the son of the king of Norway,” she said.
Cuchulainn and Derdriu went to where the children of Usnech were. Derdriu untied his hair; she began to drink the blood of Noïsé; her cheeks took on the color of burning coals, and she sang these verses:
Great outrage are these crimes accomplished in Emain,
Shame on those who committed them!
Having slain the loyal children of Usnech,
These supporters of the honor of Ireland!
Ardan, with blond hair,
Would have deserved to be supreme king of Ireland;
Ireland and Scotland do not fear
To compare Annlé to him.
The whole world, from sunset to sunrise,
Noise with great strength,
Would have belonged to you entirely, without lying,
If the supreme outrage had not been inflicted on you.
Let me be buried in his grave!
Let my bed be covered with stones!
It's looking at them that I die,
Since this great outrage was inflicted on them.
Great outrage are these crimes accomplished in Emain,
Shame on those who committed them!
Having slain the loyal children of Usnech,
These supporters of the honor of Ireland!
After this song, Derdriu said: “Let me kiss my husband. » Then she began to kiss Noïsé and drink his blood, finally she sang the following poem:
The day would be long without the sons of Usnech,
It was so sweet to be in their company!
They were the sons of a king generous to foreigners,
Those three lions of the cavernous hill!
Three dragons from Dun Monaidh!
Three heroes of Red Palm!
When they die I cannot survive.
Three men who repelled any assault!
Three men loved by the women of Brittany,
Three falcons from Mount Cullion,
Son of a king with valiant servants
To which the warriors paid homage!
Three heroes who were not made to pay homage;
It is their death that causes my pain.
Three sons of Cathba's daughter,
Three supporters of Cualngé's troop!
Three vigorous bears;
Three lions from Una Castle,
Three heroes who loved glory,
Three beloved sons of the Ulates!
Three men brought up by Aïffé,
Who had a province under his rule!
Three pillars of the fight,
Three Scathach Infants!
Three men raised by Bogmain,
And who knew all the tricks!
Three renowned sons of Usnech!
It is very painful to be deprived of them.
Me, live after Noïsé!
Let no one in the world suppose it!
After Ardan and Annlé,
My life will not be long.
The Supreme King of Ulster, my first husband,
I abandoned him for love of Noïsé;
Short will be my life after them;
I will pay them the funeral honors.
After them I will not stay alive.
Three men who took part in all battles!
Three men so good at taking the pain!
Three heroes who never refused the fight!
Curse on you, O Druid Cathba,
Who killed Noïsé because of a woman!
It is unfortunate that he had no one to help him,
He is the only king who would have satisfied the world.
O man who digs the grave.
And who separate my beloved from me,
Don't make the pit too narrow,
I will stand next to these noble warriors.
[I would endure the greatest pain
Beside these three heroes;
I would endure being without a house, without a fire,
And it's not me who would be saddened by it.
Their three shields and their javelins
Used me as a bed very often.
Place their three strong swords
Above the grave, O servant!
Their three dogs and their three hawks
Will now be without hunters,
Without the three men who supported all the fights,
Without the three students of Conall the Triumphant.
The sight of the three leashes of these three dogs
Drew sighs from my chest;
It was I who was responsible for their care,
And the sight of them is a cause of suffering to me.]
I've never been alone before
This day when they dig your grave;
Although I have often been
With you in a desert.
A sigh escaped my chest
At the sight of Noïsé's tomb;
Soon life will abandon me
Since they are no longer, those I mourn.
It's because of me that they were betrayed
And what three great waves rose up against them!
It's sad that I haven't been in the land
Before the murder of Usnech's children.
Sad was my trip with Fergus
Until the betrayal of Red Branch.
With his sweet words,
He lost me at the same time as them.
I fled the delights of Ulster,
The crowd of heroes and friends;
Now that I am left alone after the sons of Usnech,
My life will not be long.
The day would be long without the sons of Usnech,
It was so sweet to be in their company!
They were the sons of a king generous to foreigners,
Those three lions of the cavernous hill!
Then Derdriu lay down in the grave; she had given Noïsé three kisses before going down into the pit. Cuchulainn returned to Dundalk, full of sadness and pain. Then the druid Cathba cursed Emain Macha, to avenge this great crime: he said that after this betrayal, neither Conchobar nor any other of his race would ever occupy this city.
As for Fergus, son of Ross the Red, he arrived in Emain Macha, the day after the murder of the children of Usnech. He saw that they had been killed, despite the safeguard he had given. Then Fergus, Cormac Conloinges, son of Conchobar, and Dubthach Daelultach, with their troops, gave battle to the people of Conchobar. Mane, son of Conchobar, fell under their blows and three hundred of Conchobar's people with him. Emain Macha is burned and destroyed; the women of Conchobar are killed by them.
This is the number of their army: three thousand warriors. From there they proceeded to Connaught, to Ailill the Great, who was king of Connaught, and to Medb of Cruachan, where they found welcome and security.
When Fergus and Cormac Conloïngès with their warriors had reached Connaught, they did not pass a night without sending marauders to destroy and burn Ulster..., so that the district of Cualngé was subdued by them, an event which was the cause of many damage and looting between the two provinces. And this war lasted seven years or, according to some others, ten years, without there being a truce, even for an hour, between the two parties.
C’est dans ce temps que Fergus eut des rapports avec Medb et la rendit grosse; elle lui mit au monde trois fils jumeaux : Ciar, Corc et Conmac, comme dit le poète dans une strophe :
Medb grew fat in Cruachan the beautiful,
Works by Fergus without reproach;
She gave birth to three flawless sons:
Ciar, Core and Conmac.
C’est de ce Ciar que Ciarraige [ou Kerry], en Munster, tire son nom, et c’est à sa race qu’appartient 0′ Conchubair Ciarraig. De Corc provient 0′ Conchubair Chorcomruadh. Et de Conmac viennent tous les Conmaicne qui sont en Connaught. Et celui qui lira le poème commençant par les mots : « Race de Fergus, race supérieure à toutes, » verra clairement quelle grande supériorité ces trois fils de Medb avaient obtenue en Connaught et en Munster. La preuve en est aussi dans les noms de lieux de ces deux provinces qui viennent d’eux.
Fergus et les Noirs exilés, c’est-à-dire l’armée d’étrangers qui l’avait accompagné en Connaught, continuèrent longtemps à maltraiter et à détruire les Ulates pour venger la mort des fils d’Usnech. De leur côté, les Ulates se mirent aussi à exercer des représailles sur eux et sur les hommes de Connaught, après l’enlèvement des vaches que Fergus leur avait prises : les ruines et les dommages causés de part et d’autre furent en si grand nombre qu’il est fastidieux de lire les books written on this subject.
Quant à Derdriu, tandis qu’arrivait cette guerre, elle resta avec Conchobar une année entière après le meurtre des enfants d’Usnech. Et quoique ce fut peu de chose pour elle de lever la tète ou de faire paraître un sourire sur ses lèvres, elle ne le fit jamais pendant tout ce temps. Voyant que ni le jeu ni la douceur ne produisaient d’effet sur elle et que ni les plaisanteries ni les exhortations ne relevaient son courage, Conchobar fit prévenir Eogan, fils de Durthacht, prince de Farney ; or, quelques historiens rapportent que c’était cet Eogan qui avait tué Noïsé à Emain Macha. Et quand Eogan fut en présence de Conchobar, Conchobar dit à Derdriu que puisqu’il n’avait pas été capable de la tirer de son chagrin, Eogan le remplacerait auprès d’elle. Là-dessus, on la mit dans le char derrière Eogan : Conchobar était venu la remettre à Eogan. Comme le char s’avançait, elle jeta un regard furieux sur Eogan, qui était devant elle, puis sur Conchobar, qui était derrière elle, car il n’y avait pas au monde deux hommes qu’elle détestât plus que ces deux-là. Mais quand Conchobar la vit lancer des regards à lui et à Eogan, il lui dit en plaisantant : « Derdriu, c’est un regard de brebis entre deux béliers, le regard que tu nous jettes à Eogan et à moi. » Quand Derdriu entendit ces paroles insultantes, elle tressaillit, sauta du char, alla se frapper la tête sur les rochers qui étaient devant elle, et se brisa la tête, en sorte qu’aussitôt sa cervelle jaillit. C’est ainsi qu’arriva la mort de Derdriu.
